Made in Montana Trade Show Brought Thousands to Helena

The Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts returned to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds at 98 West Custer Ave. on March 13 and 14, 2025, drawing the same two day structure that gives wholesale buyers a dedicated business day and the general public a retail shopping day. Friday ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a wholesale buyers day and Saturday ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a public retail day. The show typically hosts more than 250 companies and draws thousands of attendees, with the public day drawing roughly 5,000 visitors in a typical year.

For local makers and food producers the event is a concentrated marketplace. Wholesale day is designed to place local products in front of grocery and specialty buyers, creating orders and distribution relationships that can expand a producer s sales well beyond Helena. The public retail day gives direct sales and brand exposure, and serves as a practical market test for new items. Booth specifications, exhibitor eligibility rules, booth fees, and logistics such as tables, chairs, and electricity are set out in the event listing and guide how vendors prepare.

The economic effects ripple beyond vendors. Local lodging, restaurants, and transportation services benefit when thousands of visitors travel to Helena for the show. For small producers, securing wholesale accounts at the show can smooth revenue seasonality that often affects food and gift businesses in Montana. For retailers, the event concentrates product discovery and reduces search costs when sourcing Montana made goods.

In broader market terms the trade show illustrates ongoing interest in locally produced food and gifts and the value of in person marketplaces in building supply chain relationships. For Lewis and Clark County the event reinforces Helena s role as a statewide hub for Montana made products and provides a predictable annual boost to local commerce. Organizers continue to publish details on booth requirements and logistics for future shows to help new and returning vendors plan participation.